BE A CITIZEN SUPPORTER: THE GRAYSON-TAKANO LETTER AGAINST BENEFIT CUTS (SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE & MEDICAID) 14FEB13

The gop / tea-baggers in the House are demanding cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to protect the rich and corporate America from increased taxes and cutting corporate welfare so that they will finally pay their fair share and meet their obligation to the social contract of the nation. Rep Alan Grayson D FL and Rep Mark Takano D CA are circulating a letter among members of the House, asking them to sign on, demanding Pres Obama not agree to any cuts to these programs and to not raise the eligibility are for any of these programs. The letter commits the signatories to vote against any budget agreement that violates these terms. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America are collecting signatures as citizen supporters of this letter. Please click the link below to add your name in support, and contact your Representative asking him / her to sign the letter in the House http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Republicans want to cut key benefits. Congressmen Alan Grayson and Mark Takano are fighting back and asking his colleages to join him on a letter that states: 

We will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits -- including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need.

Can you add your name as a citizen supporter of this letter, so other congressional offices see the broad public support? http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/survey_ss_grayson/?rd=1&source=e3-dem-don&t=2&referring_akid=12071.177676.boYG6k#fullletter

Dear President Obama:

We join millions of Americans in applauding your Inaugural Address declaration that “we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.”

Democrats have built the most popular government programs in American history – including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security -- by working with Republicans whenever possible and by defeating Republican opposition whenever necessary. The torch has been passed to today’s elected officials, and we must carry it forward boldly.

Voters across the political spectrum oppose cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits, and we must do whatever it takes to protect these vital benefits from cuts.

That’s why we write to let you know that we will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits -- including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need.

We firmly believe that the best way to reduce our deficit and make our economy grow is to create jobs, and we look forward to a returned focus on this core issue.

We also know that there are common-sense reforms that would reduce health-care costs and save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars without cutting benefits. If Republicans oppose these reforms, and insist on benefits cuts, that proves they are not concerned about the deficit – but instead are trying to tear the social safety net and cause pain for our constituents who can least absorb it.

Finally, Americans agree that there is more that must be done to require the rich and giant corporations to pay their fair share. Indeed, it is their patriotic duty to do so.

As you negotiate with Republicans, you deserve to know that millions of Americans and the below signed Members of Congress stand ready to fight for the principles listed above.

Sincerely,

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA)

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)

Rep. George McGovern (D-MA)

Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN)

Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY)

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)